Office of Victim Witness Assistance Tifton Judicial Circuit

Please be assured that should your case require a hearing, your advocate will contact you and help you attend the hearing via the appropriate technological format. Our advocates are working for you and with you during this difficult time to continue to provide victim services. Your rights as a victim of crime will be protected. If you should have any questions, please contact your advocate. Irwin County Felony Crime Victim Advocate & Turner County Felony Crime Victim Advo...cate Victim Witness Assistance Director: Jodie Spooner (229) 386-7877 Irwin County Misdemeanor Crime Victim Advocate Irwin, Turner, & Worth Juvenile Crime Victim Advocate Crime Victim Compensation Advocate: Divayna Esquivel (229) 256-7174 Tift County Felony Crime Victim Advocate: Latricia Sumner (229) 386-7953 Tift County Juvenile Crime Victim Advocate Worth County Felony Crime Victim Advocate: Miranda Kelly (229) 386-7948 Early Notification Advocate & Victim Witness Assistance Administrative Assistant: Brittany Ray (229) 386-7903 STAY HOME & STAY SAFE!!

ORDER EXTENDING DECLARATION OF STATEWIDE JUDICIAL EMERGENCY Pursuant to OCGA 38-3-61, and due to the continuing statewide emergency involving the transmission of Coronavirus/COVID-19, the Honorable Harold D. Melton, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, does hereby extend the March 14, 2020 (amended) Order Declaring Statewide Judicial Emergency, which would have expired on April 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., until Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., unless otherwise ...further modified or extended. The Chief Justice will provide notice as to the expected termination of the Order at least one week in advance to allow courts to plan the transition to fuller operations. With regard to matters not deemed essential functions under the Statewide Judicial Emergency Order, courts and litigants are encouraged to proceed to the extent feasible and consistent with public health guidance, for example through the use of teleconferences and videoconferences, to reduce backlogs when the judicial emergency ends. With regard to all matters in this challenging time, all lawyers are reminded of their obligations of professionalism. It is ordered, pursuant to OCGA 38-3-63, that notice and service of a copy of this Order shall immediately be sent to the judges and clerks of all courts in this State and to the clerk of the Georgia Court of Appeals, such service to be accomplished through means to assure expeditious receipt, which include electronic means; and It is further ordered that notice shall also be sent to the media, the State Bar of Georgia, and the officials and entities listed below and shall constitute sufficient notice of the issuance of this Order to the affected parties, counsel for the affected parties, and the public. IT IS SO ORDERED this 6th day of April, 2020 Chief Justice Harold D. Melton Supreme Court of Georgia

**BE AWARE** While the current situation brings opportunity to do good in our communities, there are still those who will use it for harm. Please be on alert for any scams requiring you to give out your information. NEVER give out your personal information to anyone you do not know. **The Stimulus Check scam** Noone will call and ask for your account information. DO NOT give out your account information to anyone . **Service Provider Scams** Unless you have requested a utility worker to come to your home (and most won't during the current situation unless absolutely necessary) DO NOT let anyone into your home without checking their I.D. AND calling the company they are representing. If you have questions about scams or need to report a scam situation, call your local law enforcment office.

Our advocates are still working for victims during the current health crisis. However in an effort to keep our victims and staff safe, we are asking that you communicate with us via phone, email, regular mail or our Facebook page. We will not be meeting in person at this time. Please call us if you have any questions, 229-386-7903. On March 14, 2020, pursuant to O.C.G.A. 38-3-61, the Honorable Justice Harold D. Melton, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, decla...red a Statewide Judicial Emergency. The Statewide Judicial Emergency shall terminate on April 13, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., unless otherwise extended. During the Statewide Judicial Emergency, to the extent feasible, courts should remain open to address essential functions, and in particular, courts should give priority to matters necessary to protect health, safety, and liberty of individuals. Essential functions are subject to interpretation; however, some matters that fall into the essential function category are: (1) where an immediate liberty or safety concern is present requiring the attention of the court as soon as the court is available; (2) criminal court search warrants, arrest warrants, initial appearances, and bond reviews; (3) domestic abuse temporary protective orders and restraining orders; (4) juvenile court delinquency detention hearings and emergency removal matters; and (5) mental health commitment hearings. Pursuant to OCGA 38-3-62, during the period of this Order, Chief Justice Melton hereby suspends, tolls, extends, and otherwise grants relief from any deadlines or other time schedules or filing requirements imposed by otherwise applicable statutes, rules, regulations, or court orders, whether in civil or criminal cases or administrative matters, including, but not limited to any: (1) statute of limitation; (2) time within which to issue a warrant; (3) time within which to try a case for which a demand for speedy trial has been filed; (4) time within which to hold a commitment hearing; (5) deadline or other schedule regarding the detention of a juvenile; (6) time within which to return a bill of indictment or an accusation or to bring a matter before a grand jury; (7) time within which to file a writ of habeas corpus; (8) time within which discovery or any aspect thereof is to be completed; (9) time within which to serve a party; (10) time within which to appeal or to seek the right to appeal any order, ruling, or other determination; and (11) such other legal proceedings as determined to be necessary by the authorized judicial official. ***For more information on how to reach your advocate directly, find their contact info under their photo.